As the incoming president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, I am pleased to report that LACMA has emerged over the past two years as a revitalized organization. It is vigorously working on behalf of members in both economic and political advocacy, while ensuring that patient care doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

In order to spur the widest possible member involvement, LACMA has re-established a number of dormant committees and created a variety of new ones. A few officers and board members cannot do this alone, and I encourage you to participate either through a committee or in your local LACMA district. Brief committee descriptions follow:

Committee on Association Elections--The Committee on Association Elections shall coordinate the association election process and tally the votes, and shall have the power to investigate any alleged violation of election procedures.

Committee on Bylaws--The Committee on Bylaws shall complete an annual review of the bylaws of the association, districts and subsidiaries, and offer interpretation, clarification and/or modification for consideration by the board and the members.

Committee on Finance--The Committee on Finance shall supervise the preparation of the association, district and subsidiary financial policies and procedures, budgets, financial reports, and annual audits for presentation to the board.

District Presidents Committee--The District Presidents Committee shall meet regularly to review and discuss the activities of the districts and how they will perpetuate the association, expand the membership and bring member services to the grassroots.

Economic Advocacy Committee--The Economic Advocacy Committee shall identify ways in which the association can advocate on behalf of members to improve the economic aspects of medical practice.

Executive Committee--The Executive Committee shall have authority to act for the board between meetings and to perform other duties as may be assigned to it by the board.

Hospital Medical Staff/Chiefs of Staff Committee--The Hospital Medical Staff/Chiefs of Staff Committee shall meet regularly to discuss matters of common interest and to provide a forum for Los Angeles County hospitals to work together to improve the conditions for physicians and patients.

Judicial Council--The Judicial Council shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all proceedings to take disciplinary action against a member for violation of the Principles of Medical Ethics promulgated by the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association and LACMA.

Legislative Committee--The Legislative Committee shall coordinate the association's legislative activities and assure that the subsidiary legislative and political organizations are functioning properly and that regular reports are provided to the board and the members.

Media Committee--The Media Committee shall be involved in all of the association's communications and public relations activities with regard to the members and the public, including the Web site, magazine, newsletters, news releases and press conferences.

Membership Committee--The Membership Committee shall be involved in and informed of all membership processing, review and approval activities, and assist with developing and carrying out membership promotion and retention.

Nominating Committee--The Nominating Committee shall convene annually to nominate candidates for the offices of President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Councilors at Large, and CMA Trustee positions that become vacant.

Patient-Physician Dispute Resolution Committee--The Patient-Physician Dispute Resolution Committee shall be available to establish and review the procedure for approval of the board to mediate differences between patients and member physicians.

Program Committee--The Program Committee shall coordinate all meetings conducted by the association, districts and subsidiaries.
Please let me know if you would like to serve as a committee member or chair. LACMA needs your participation to make it a strong voice for LA County physicians. E-mail me at daizuss@pacbell.net.